Let’s give it up for the Flying Squirrels organization. They’ve stuck by Richmond, even though the city didn’t seem to appreciate the team in the early days, as they were ridiculed for their unusual moniker.

“When we went about naming the team, that’s when we heard a lot of naysayers,” former Chief Executive Officer Todd “Parney” Parnell told Richmond Magazine in 2020. “There would always be one person, seems like, that would wait for me by the door to tell me how ridiculous and silly the Flying Squirrels name was.”

Fortunately, Richmond got used to the name and the minor league baseball team settled in – for a long haul. They’ve probably spent more time at the aging ballpark they call home than they planned to, but they have not publicly whined or complained about the condition of The Diamond – that much.

They also managed to stay diplomatic when plans to move the stadium to Shockoe Bottom sank and rumors of a ballpark at Navy Hill never materialized.

Now, it seems their patience has paid off. Last week, the team announced the naming rights to their next home were sold to Richmond-based CarMax.

Fans were aware a new stadium was in the works, but the involvement of a local business that’s willing to back the team should generate more excitement for this development.

Richmond has had quite a few sports franchises over the years. Most play a few seasons, move on or dissolve. The Flying Squirrels, with their community involvement, strategic planning and patience with a city that can be cold to newcomers have left a blueprint on how the game should be played.